The effect of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CC-chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) on rheumatic mitral ste- nosis is unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CCR7 and CCL19 in rheumatic mitral stenosis by me...The effect of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CC-chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) on rheumatic mitral ste- nosis is unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CCR7 and CCL19 in rheumatic mitral stenosis by mea- suring the expression of CCR7 and CCL19 in human mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients. Additionally, we examined their effects on human mitral valve interstitial cells (hMVICs) proliferation, apoptosis and wound repair. CCR7 and CCL19 expression was measured in the mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients (n= 10) and compared to normal mitral valves (n=5). CCR7 was measured in cultured hMVICs from rheu- matic mitral stenosis patients and normal donors by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The cells were also treated with exogenous CCL19, and the effects on wound healing, proliferation and apoptosis were assayed. In the rheu- matic mitral valves, valve interstitial cells expressed CCR7, while mononuclear cells and the endothelium expressed CCL19. Healthy mitral valves did not stain positive for CCR7 or CCL19. CCR7 was also detected in cultured rheu- matic hMVICs or in normal hMVICs treated with CCL19. In a wound healing experiment, wound closure rates of both rheumatic and normal hMVICs were significantly accelerated by CCL19. These effects were abrogated by a CCR7 neutralizing antibody. The CCR7/CCL19 axis did not influence the proliferation or apoptosis of hMVICs, indicating that wound healing was due to increased migration rates rather than increased proliferation. In conclu- sion, CCR7 and CCL19 were expressed in rheumatic mitral valves. The CCR7/CCL19 axis may regulate remodel- ing of rheumatic valve injury through promoting migratory ability of hMVICs.展开更多
Spinal cord injury causes accumulation of a large number of leukocytes at the lesion site where they contribute to excessive inflammation.Overproduced chemokines are responsible for the migratory process of the leukoc...Spinal cord injury causes accumulation of a large number of leukocytes at the lesion site where they contribute to excessive inflammation.Overproduced chemokines are responsible for the migratory process of the leukocytes,but the regulatory mechanism underlying the production of chemokines from resident cells of the spinal cord has not been fully elucidated.We examined the protein levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 in a spinal cord contusion model at different time points following spinal cord injury.The elevation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor at the lesion site coincided with the increase of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 abundance in astrocytes.Stimulation of primary cultured astrocytes with different concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor recombinant protein induced chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 production from the cells,and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitor 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine attenuated the stimulatory effect.Further investigation into the underlying mechanism on macrophage migration inhibitory factor-mediated astrocytic production of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 revealed that macrophage migration inhibitory factor activated intracellular JNK signaling through binding with CD74 receptor.Administration of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitor 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine following spinal cord injury resulted in the reduction of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2-recruited microglia/macrophages at the lesion site and remarkably improved the hindlimb locomotor function of rats.Our results have provided insights into the functions of astrocyte-activated chemokines in the recruitment of leukocytes and may be beneficial to develop interventions targeting chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 for neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury.展开更多
Background:Liver cirrhosis results from many forms of chronic damage,characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix.The present study aimed to explore a potential non-invasive biomarker and its mechanism in the...Background:Liver cirrhosis results from many forms of chronic damage,characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix.The present study aimed to explore a potential non-invasive biomarker and its mechanism in the progression of liver cirrhosis.Methods:Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)dataset(GSE15654,n=216)was analyzed to screen genes associated with progression of liver cirrhosis.A total of 181 plasma samples,including healthy control(HC,n=20),chronic hepatitis B(CHB,n=77)and HBV-related liver cirrhosis(LC,n=84),were enrolled for validation.In vitro and in vivo experiments were employed for the mechanistic investigation.Results:GEO dataset analysis showed that relatively low mRNA-expression of C–C motif chemokine ligand 16(CCL16)was associated with elevated Child-Pugh score(P=0.034)and worse prognosis(P=0.025).Plasma CCL16 level decreased in a stepwise pattern,with a median concentration of 10.29,6.57 and 4.47 ng/mL in the HC,CHB and LC groups,respectively(P<0.001).Low plasma CCL16 was significantly related to hepatic dysfunction both in the CHB and LC groups(P<0.05).Combination of CCL16 and ALT showed improved distinguishing capability for LC compared to either alone.In vitro,CCL16 expression was downregulated by lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia.Overexpression of CCL16 from human normal liver cell line(LO2)reduced the extracellular matrix associated proteins(Col1 and Col4)in human hepatic stellate cell line(LX-2).In vivo,the pathological feature of cirrhosis was alleviated by the hepatocytespecific expression of CCL16.Conclusions:CCL16 could be a feasible plasma marker to predict the occurrence and progression of liver cirrhosis.CCL16 might impact liver cirrhosis through inactivating hepatic stellate cells.展开更多
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)infection has been extensively shown to cause many neurological sequelae,and cognitive deficits(known as“brain fog”)may particularly and widely occur even in...Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)infection has been extensively shown to cause many neurological sequelae,and cognitive deficits(known as“brain fog”)may particularly and widely occur even in individuals with mild symptoms[1].Peripheral hyperinflammation as well as central nervous system(CNS)local immune responses may synergistically contribute to brain autoimmune injury.In addition to the direct neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 and nonimmune effects such as severe systemic hypoxemia and vascular thrombosis,the central mechanism by which SARSCoV-2 accelerates cognitive-related symptoms may be related to immune effects[2].However,the precise neuroinflammatory mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been fully established.Fernández-Casta-da et al.[3]provided direct evidence and unique insights into the potential mechanism of cognitive impairment in mild respiratory coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases.展开更多
Background:We previously found that the intestinal epithelial chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 7(CCL7)plays an important role in the development of toxin-induced acute liver damage.The detailed effects of intestinal epithel...Background:We previously found that the intestinal epithelial chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 7(CCL7)plays an important role in the development of toxin-induced acute liver damage.The detailed effects of intestinal epithelial CCL7 on chronic diseases;however,are still unclear.Here,we aimed to investigate the impact of intestinal epithelial CCL7 overexpression on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obesity and steatohepatitis in mice.Methods:Intestinal epithelial CCL7 overexpression(CCL7tgIEC)mice and their wild-type(WT)littermates were fed with normal chow or HFD for 16 weeks to induce obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Body weight gain,as well as adipose tissue index were assessed.Liver injury was monitored by histological analysis and real time polymerase chain reaction.Gut microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results:We found that the CCL7tgIEC mice on a HFD had markedly decreased weight gain(8.9 vs.17.0 g,P<0.05)and a lower adipose tissue index that include mesenteric fat(1.0%vs.1.76%,P<0.05),gonadal fat(2.1%vs.6.1%,P<0.05),subcutaneous fat(1.0%vs.2.8%,P<0.05)compared to WT animals.HFD-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were also significantly improved in CCL7tgIEC mice compared to WT.Furthermore,HFD-fed CCL7tgIEC mice displayed less hepatic lipid accumulation and lower expression of inflammatory factors than WT mice.16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that CCL7 overexpression in intestinal epithelial cells improved HFD-induced gut microbial dysbiosis.Conclusions:Our study revealed that CCL7 overexpression in the intestinal epithelium protects mice against the progression of diet-induced obesity,hepatic steatosis,and enteric dysbiosis.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81100162)the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD2010-2013)
文摘The effect of CC-chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and CC-chemokine ligand 19 (CCL19) on rheumatic mitral ste- nosis is unknown. This study aimed to explore the roles of CCR7 and CCL19 in rheumatic mitral stenosis by mea- suring the expression of CCR7 and CCL19 in human mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients. Additionally, we examined their effects on human mitral valve interstitial cells (hMVICs) proliferation, apoptosis and wound repair. CCR7 and CCL19 expression was measured in the mitral valves from rheumatic mitral stenosis patients (n= 10) and compared to normal mitral valves (n=5). CCR7 was measured in cultured hMVICs from rheu- matic mitral stenosis patients and normal donors by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The cells were also treated with exogenous CCL19, and the effects on wound healing, proliferation and apoptosis were assayed. In the rheu- matic mitral valves, valve interstitial cells expressed CCR7, while mononuclear cells and the endothelium expressed CCL19. Healthy mitral valves did not stain positive for CCR7 or CCL19. CCR7 was also detected in cultured rheu- matic hMVICs or in normal hMVICs treated with CCL19. In a wound healing experiment, wound closure rates of both rheumatic and normal hMVICs were significantly accelerated by CCL19. These effects were abrogated by a CCR7 neutralizing antibody. The CCR7/CCL19 axis did not influence the proliferation or apoptosis of hMVICs, indicating that wound healing was due to increased migration rates rather than increased proliferation. In conclu- sion, CCR7 and CCL19 were expressed in rheumatic mitral valves. The CCR7/CCL19 axis may regulate remodel- ing of rheumatic valve injury through promoting migratory ability of hMVICs.
基金supported by the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2020M681689(to YMH)the Basic Scientific Research Projects of Nantong,Nos.JC2020015(to HX)and JC2020041(to YMH)。
文摘Spinal cord injury causes accumulation of a large number of leukocytes at the lesion site where they contribute to excessive inflammation.Overproduced chemokines are responsible for the migratory process of the leukocytes,but the regulatory mechanism underlying the production of chemokines from resident cells of the spinal cord has not been fully elucidated.We examined the protein levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor and chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 in a spinal cord contusion model at different time points following spinal cord injury.The elevation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor at the lesion site coincided with the increase of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 abundance in astrocytes.Stimulation of primary cultured astrocytes with different concentrations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor recombinant protein induced chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 production from the cells,and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitor 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine attenuated the stimulatory effect.Further investigation into the underlying mechanism on macrophage migration inhibitory factor-mediated astrocytic production of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 revealed that macrophage migration inhibitory factor activated intracellular JNK signaling through binding with CD74 receptor.Administration of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor inhibitor 4-iodo-6-phenylpyrimidine following spinal cord injury resulted in the reduction of chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2-recruited microglia/macrophages at the lesion site and remarkably improved the hindlimb locomotor function of rats.Our results have provided insights into the functions of astrocyte-activated chemokines in the recruitment of leukocytes and may be beneficial to develop interventions targeting chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 for neuroinflammation after spinal cord injury.
基金This work was supported by grants from the National Science and Technology Major Project of China[2017ZX10203205]the National Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar of China[81625003]+2 种基金Projects of Medical and Health Technology Program in Zhejiang Province[WKJ-ZJ-1514]China Postdoctoral Science Foundation[2017M612014]Zhejiang Medical and Technological Program[2018263185].
文摘Background:Liver cirrhosis results from many forms of chronic damage,characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix.The present study aimed to explore a potential non-invasive biomarker and its mechanism in the progression of liver cirrhosis.Methods:Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)dataset(GSE15654,n=216)was analyzed to screen genes associated with progression of liver cirrhosis.A total of 181 plasma samples,including healthy control(HC,n=20),chronic hepatitis B(CHB,n=77)and HBV-related liver cirrhosis(LC,n=84),were enrolled for validation.In vitro and in vivo experiments were employed for the mechanistic investigation.Results:GEO dataset analysis showed that relatively low mRNA-expression of C–C motif chemokine ligand 16(CCL16)was associated with elevated Child-Pugh score(P=0.034)and worse prognosis(P=0.025).Plasma CCL16 level decreased in a stepwise pattern,with a median concentration of 10.29,6.57 and 4.47 ng/mL in the HC,CHB and LC groups,respectively(P<0.001).Low plasma CCL16 was significantly related to hepatic dysfunction both in the CHB and LC groups(P<0.05).Combination of CCL16 and ALT showed improved distinguishing capability for LC compared to either alone.In vitro,CCL16 expression was downregulated by lipopolysaccharide and hypoxia.Overexpression of CCL16 from human normal liver cell line(LO2)reduced the extracellular matrix associated proteins(Col1 and Col4)in human hepatic stellate cell line(LX-2).In vivo,the pathological feature of cirrhosis was alleviated by the hepatocytespecific expression of CCL16.Conclusions:CCL16 could be a feasible plasma marker to predict the occurrence and progression of liver cirrhosis.CCL16 might impact liver cirrhosis through inactivating hepatic stellate cells.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82001240)Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(YQ2021H011)+1 种基金China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2020M670925,2022T150172)Postdoctoral Foundation of Heilongjiang Province(LBHZ19027,LBH-TZ2019).
文摘Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARSCoV-2)infection has been extensively shown to cause many neurological sequelae,and cognitive deficits(known as“brain fog”)may particularly and widely occur even in individuals with mild symptoms[1].Peripheral hyperinflammation as well as central nervous system(CNS)local immune responses may synergistically contribute to brain autoimmune injury.In addition to the direct neuroinvasion of SARS-CoV-2 and nonimmune effects such as severe systemic hypoxemia and vascular thrombosis,the central mechanism by which SARSCoV-2 accelerates cognitive-related symptoms may be related to immune effects[2].However,the precise neuroinflammatory mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection have not been fully established.Fernández-Casta-da et al.[3]provided direct evidence and unique insights into the potential mechanism of cognitive impairment in mild respiratory coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)cases.
基金a grant from the Natural Science Funds for Distinguished Young Scholar of Guangdong Province(No.2016A030306043).
文摘Background:We previously found that the intestinal epithelial chemokine(C-C motif)ligand 7(CCL7)plays an important role in the development of toxin-induced acute liver damage.The detailed effects of intestinal epithelial CCL7 on chronic diseases;however,are still unclear.Here,we aimed to investigate the impact of intestinal epithelial CCL7 overexpression on high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obesity and steatohepatitis in mice.Methods:Intestinal epithelial CCL7 overexpression(CCL7tgIEC)mice and their wild-type(WT)littermates were fed with normal chow or HFD for 16 weeks to induce obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.Body weight gain,as well as adipose tissue index were assessed.Liver injury was monitored by histological analysis and real time polymerase chain reaction.Gut microbial composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results:We found that the CCL7tgIEC mice on a HFD had markedly decreased weight gain(8.9 vs.17.0 g,P<0.05)and a lower adipose tissue index that include mesenteric fat(1.0%vs.1.76%,P<0.05),gonadal fat(2.1%vs.6.1%,P<0.05),subcutaneous fat(1.0%vs.2.8%,P<0.05)compared to WT animals.HFD-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were also significantly improved in CCL7tgIEC mice compared to WT.Furthermore,HFD-fed CCL7tgIEC mice displayed less hepatic lipid accumulation and lower expression of inflammatory factors than WT mice.16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that CCL7 overexpression in intestinal epithelial cells improved HFD-induced gut microbial dysbiosis.Conclusions:Our study revealed that CCL7 overexpression in the intestinal epithelium protects mice against the progression of diet-induced obesity,hepatic steatosis,and enteric dysbiosis.